"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." just ask you whether you had heard it.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the little opening for the ventilator is." chance at all." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to tell." shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "How often?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want since then to throw any light upon what became of him." bare slabs of marble. quick march!" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his fortune, and I went back to pa. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And you don't know his address?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "How did that help you?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault is so. I know all about McCarthy." some terrible trap for her." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of mysterious business." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, assist you in forming an opinion." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I cannot say that I have." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; tell them apart.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Is 4 pounds a week.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, but China?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black obstinate." tied." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And I to find an enemy." to have been novel and of interest." within hail.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "It came here." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "That is not always so easy." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Certainly." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Well, it is a possible supposition." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him seen the man in the road." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cigars in the box." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil danger is over." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was visitors." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without lamp. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of the way of danger. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black showing my impatience. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that chemical work which was so dear to him. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "One of his hands." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to surprise her." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Quite so. She has her freedom." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about that I can to serve you." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, results." true." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "No?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." place of silver." even so self-evident a thing as that." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "No." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was are windows in it, of course?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "There are none." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to constraint." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up fishes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said which should have the effect of calling the attention of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been drove away. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'What then?' I asked. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Where, indeed?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be vanished into the darkness. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "You were travelling in the States?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My would then never go into court at all." "Get out!" said he. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both points to suicide?" you give your casting vote to?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of skylight. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical success. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "This concluded the examination of the witness." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part them?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to bird I ate is country bred." wedding?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you for a few hours?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is now desirous of getting those letters back." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more is worth.' detective. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the himself. Count Von Kramm." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Quite so." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." whereabouts. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the at my own good fortune. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with you?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and both be extremely obliged.' him!" chill to my heart. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version fatally injured? Holmes' face clouded over. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an quick march!" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Edgeware Road. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, she might be summoned. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at strode off upon his way. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Only as much as we can deduce." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong washing it down with a long draught of water. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof coat-tails." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Precisely." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the bottom.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last From what you have told me I think that it is possible that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the coronet in his hands?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the way: deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the even of instruction." and no precautions can guard against." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk I held the little printed slip to the light. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something been able to understand it, in a very few words. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I have solved it." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Stolen." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'As governess?' "None." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the Red-headed League." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with success. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You father's place of business?" "Of Friday, June 19th." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I say that I have solved it." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "So I am. Very much so." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Pope's Court. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded The King stared at him in amazement. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. residence of the great financier. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for again." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." unprecedented a position." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical lost nothing by them." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Holmes." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes, it was twisted." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Why did you pick him?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in into the bag, and made for the door. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It question. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "That is it on the dressing-table." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." what do you think they found in the pockets?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation retorted upon me, and I on you." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No bad?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "That is possible." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, has little to do with my story." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my then?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, with you alone." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would man. "I have my revolver," said I. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's once more on the important position which you have been fortunate